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The lifespan of a toilet can vary significantly. While the porcelain body itself can last up to 50 years or more with proper care, most plumbers suggest an average functional lifespan of 10 to 25 years, and many homeowners replace their toilets after about 20 years.

A toilet's longevity is influenced by factors like maintenance quality, hard water buildup, and damage to the finish. It's also important to note that internal components have much shorter lifespans than the bowl; for example, flappers may last only a few years, while fill valves can last around 10 years.

Even if an older toilet is still functional, consider upgrading to a high-efficiency model to save on water costs.

If you experience the telltale sign of wax ring failure, which is leaking water, replacing the faulty ring takes one to three hours, depending on accessibility. This is an exacting and time-consuming job, as several components must be removed for the plumber to access the ring. Once replaced, however, wax rings require little to no maintenance and last 30 years or longer.

While you might think that phantom flushes are simply eerie, they are bad for your toilet (and wallet). These flushes indicate a leak somewhere in the toilet system that needs repairing. These leaks can cause damage to your walls, flooring, and even your plumbing system. While one random flush every now and then might not seem like a big deal, leaving it unattended can lead to bigger problems. 

Yes, frozen pipes can cause a toilet to stop working correctly. If the pipes are frozen, water cannot flow, which can lead to two main problems. First, the supply line to the toilet tank may be frozen, which prevents the tank from refilling with water after you flush. Second, the drain pipe itself can freeze, blocking water from flushing away. As a temporary solution for a non-refilling tank, you can manually add water, but this is not a long-term fix. To clear a frozen drain pipe, you can try pouring warm water into the toilet bowl or tank and then flushing, as the warm water may help thaw the ice blockage. Ultimately, the best course of action is to unfreeze the affected pipes to restore your toilet to full functionality.